David De Vaus – författare

`A wonderful opportunity for research design students and practitioners to think more about the planning and process of research design' - Forum for Qualitative Social Research

This book is intended to show social science students the importance of attending to design issues when undertaking social research. One of the main problems in doing practical research is that design and structure are inappropriate for the uses of research. They often do not support the conclusions that are drawn from it. Several research methods books focus on data collection strategy and statistical analysis. While these issues are pertinent, this book argues that the core of research methods is the structure and design of the research. The book:

- provides students with a clear understanding of the importance of research design and its place in the research process.

- describes the main types of research designs in social research.

- explains the logic and purposes of design to enable students to evaluate particular research strategies

- equips students with the design skills to operate in real world research situations

The book is divided into five parts. Part One explores issues about types of research, research concepts, research questions, causality and basic issues in the design process. The remaining four parts focus on different types of research design. Experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional and case-study methods are clearly and systematically examined, and their strengths and weaknesses are described.

The result is a one-stop critical guide to design in social research that students and researchers will find invaluable.

`A wonderful opportunity for research design students and practitioners to think more about the planning and process of research design' - Forum for Qualitative Social Research

This book is intended to show social science students the importance of attending to design issues when undertaking social research. One of the main problems in doing practical research is that design and structure are inappropriate for the uses of research. They often do not support the conclusions that are drawn from it. Several research methods books focus on data collection strategy and statistical analysis. While these issues are pertinent, this book argues that the core of research methods is the structure and design of the research. The book:

- provides students with a clear understanding of the importance of research design and its place in the research process.

- describes the main types of research designs in social research.

- explains the logic and purposes of design to enable students to evaluate particular research strategies

- equips students with the design skills to operate in real world research situations

The book is divided into five parts. Part One explores issues about types of research, research concepts, research questions, causality and basic issues in the design process. The remaining four parts focus on different types of research design. Experimental, longitudinal, cross-sectional and case-study methods are clearly and systematically examined, and their strengths and weaknesses are described.

The result is a one-stop critical guide to design in social research that students and researchers will find invaluable.

The book is a tour de force in making data analysis manageable and rewarding for today's undergraduate studying research methods.

`I'm full of admiration for this book. Once again, David de Vaus has come up with a superb book that is well written and organized and which will be a boon to a wide range of students. He has taken a vast array of problems that users of quantitative data analysis procedures are likely to encounter. The selection of issues and problems ... reflects the experience of a true practitioner with a grasp of his field and of the intricacies of the research process. The selection of issues clearly derives also from experience of teaching students how to do research and analyse data....A large number of practitioners will want the book. I was surprised at how much I learned from this. This will be a vital book for the bookshelves of practitioners of the craft of quantitative data analysis' - Alan Bryman, Professor of Social Research, Loughborough University

David de Vaus'' classic text Surveys in Social Research provides clear advice on how to plan, conduct and analyse social surveys. It emphasises the links between theory and research, the logic and interpretation of statistics and the practices of social research. This sixth edition has been completely revised and updated, and contains new examples, data and extensive lists of web resources.

As well as explaining how to conduct good surveys, de Vaus shows how to become a critical consumer of research. He argues that the logic of surveys and statistics is simply an extension of the logic we use in everyday life; analysis, however, requires creativity and imagination rather than the application of sterile mechanical procedures. The prime goal of research should be to gain accurate understanding and, as a researcher, use methods and techniques which enhance understanding. De Vaus advocates researchers use the method, rather than letting the method use you.

Surveys in Social Research is essential reading for students and researchers working with surveys. It assumes no background in statistical analysis, and gives you the tools you need to come to grips with this often challenging field of work.

David de Vaus'' classic text Surveys in Social Research provides clear advice on how to plan, conduct and analyse social surveys. It emphasises the links between theory and research, the logic and interpretation of statistics and the practices of social research. This sixth edition has been completely revised and updated, and contains new examples, data and extensive lists of web resources.

As well as explaining how to conduct good surveys, de Vaus shows how to become a critical consumer of research. He argues that the logic of surveys and statistics is simply an extension of the logic we use in everyday life; analysis, however, requires creativity and imagination rather than the application of sterile mechanical procedures. The prime goal of research should be to gain accurate understanding and, as a researcher, use methods and techniques which enhance understanding. De Vaus advocates researchers use the method, rather than letting the method use you.

Surveys in Social Research is essential reading for students and researchers working with surveys. It assumes no background in statistical analysis, and gives you the tools you need to come to grips with this often challenging field of work.